Monday, March 24, 2008

Psycowpath #1 - Norfork

Hmm, 2 weeks away. Dave is the only one in our little possee that has both ridden and raced out there.

Dave, you said that you were going to go out before the race and ride the course. Are you still planning on doing so? If so, when? I was thinking that I may take a 1/2 day's vacation from work to go out and do it too?

Plan b.
Get there on race day early, and ride a lap to see what its all about!

14 comments:

crewcabrob said...

Hello Gentelmen,

I plan on getting there early and either walking the course or riding part of it so I know what to expect. I figure 8am would be sufficent to see most of it. I'm afraid any earlier and they may not have the corse marked off for us.

You guys are all up on me, I haven't raced and really don't know what to expect. Plus, this past weekend was very discouraging for me with my training rides. I feel like I am slow, fat and old. Kind of like a heart attack waiting to happen. Tell me at least one of you knows CPR???? I'll try to drink lots of alcohol the night before, purely for sterilization purposes.

Rob

rg said...

I had originally planned on doing your plan Rob.

As for us being up on you, all I can do is speak for myself. Yesterday was the first time on my bike in a week - and this too will be my first race.

I'm not looking to win it! In fact I'm just looking to finish (hopefully not last!), burn some calories and hang out with some guys that also like riding mountain bikes. No lofty expectations - JUST HAVE FUN!

AS for CPR, you'll be racing after me, so you'll have to count on someone else to do the CPR! I'm racing Beginner Open.

dmars said...

They should have the course marked the day before the race rob, so getting there early isnt a big deal. I always do a slow preride, about half mile or so anyway. I can go up there sometime next weekend (29 or 30) if you are interested Ray.
I like the sterialization comment Rob :) What catagory are you racing.

crewcabrob said...

Hi guys,

Well, I'm 41 and never raced, so beginers masters 35+ is the class I will be racing in. Some of the classes divide at 40+, which I was hoping for but I can deal with it. I'm not sure I really like the idea of racing against a 35 year old, but I'll make the best of it. Don't all the beginers start at the same time?

I didn't know they would have the course mapped out the day before. That may change my stratagy a little bit on getting there around 8am. I'm taking a couple of guys up there from Lincoln with me, so it may not be all up to me when we get there or how long we stay. Are you guys hanging around for the bike drawing?

I don't for a second think I will win or even place in the top three of my catagory. For me, this has been soemthing I wanted to do for a long time but kids, career, money... seemed to always get in the way. I want to participate, have fun, meet new people, have fun, ride new trails, have fun and get my exercise, and have more fun. By the way, I don't want to finish last either, but I'm looking for ward to finishing.

I normally have a few drinks; if only for medicinal purposes. I figure a few more might protect anyone that would have to do mouth-to-mouth. :)

Do you guys know how many are coming up from the Bike Masters group?

Rob

rg said...

All of the beginners start at 10 a.m., and then they stage the classes 1 or 2 mintues apart.

Begginer Open starts first, 2 minutes later, Beginner Masters 35+, Masters 40+ etc..

I don't have any idea as to how many from BMCC will be coming. I'll bet 4 or 5 though.

Bike Drawing? I haven't heard about that. I don't know how late, but I'll bet we head out prior to the awards (I won't be on the podium anyway!). My hall pass for the day will expire, so I'll need to be back home to help with the family.

crewcabrob said...

here is a link to the bike give-away:

http://www.nebraskacyclingnews.com/content/view/916/231/

KHS 29er SS

Thanks for teh info on the staggered start; I wondered how they would accomidate that many riders starting at one time. I looked at last years results and noticed that the 35+ beginers were faster than the open beginers class.

My hall pass has been validated until 5:30 that evening, although I may need to take one of the kids with me that day. I'm trying to convince her to race in the juniors 13-15 womens class. But you know teenage girls; she doesn't want to mess up her hair with a helmet.

Let me know if you guys plan on heading up there to ride it before hand. I may try to run up at the same time.

Rob

rg said...

Hmmm, that may be my only way to get a new bike for the next few years!

We may have to stay?

dmars said...

Ray if you won the bike you could jump to the dark side all at once, a 29 single speed. You would never ride your epic again! :) If you guys want to go up there this weekend, let me know. Ill have to clear it with the misses, but it should be a go.

dmars said...

Ill be racing beginner 35 + also rob. Rob and Rg you guys may surprise yourselves. Just remember to race your own race, and be safe, but not too safe.
If we start at the boat ramp again this year we will have a short steep hill to climb on the road to get to the trails. They do this to thin out the pack a bit. I dont know about you guys, but im not a sprinter. I just try to stay with the middle to end of the pack to conserve my energy, and then pass people on the trail itself.

Greg said...

I agree with dmars, race your own race and have fun doing it. I will be racing beginer 35+ also, and look forward in meeting you Rob. We will have a good time. I would love to go up for a pre ride.

crewcabrob said...

Thanks for the tips guys! This first race really seems to be getting here fast.

It will be nice to put a face to the blog names. We may have to find a place for post-race beverages. I don't think state parks will let you have adult beverages within the confines of the park. Really, it's never stopped me before...

If you guys head up there this weekend, I won't be able to make it. Too many family functions to hit on Saturday. Let me know what you think the hills will be like, I struggle a little bit with them. (just on the way up) Do you guys remember any log hops in the course?

Thanks Team Gibson!

rg said...

I too will be unable to make it this weekend - Greg and Dmars (its in your hands!). Two weekends in a row being gone one day each time won't fly at my house!

My preride is going to be on race day!

I'm bringing a few tall boys - I'll share!

dmars said...

Im in the same boat Ray, I only have 1 day off this weekend, so i cant go either. Doing a preride should be fine. The tall boys sound good as long as they arent Coors, I heard beer is a good recovery drink

dmars said...

I almost forget, there is a short technical section with one maybe two log overs. The course is somewhat hilly, not many real long hills, just alot of up and down. Not many places to get alot of speed up for the next hill, and very twisty.